Last Updated: Apr 4, 2023 @ 10:16 am.

What's the best kids luggage? Should you get a single suitcase with wheels? Or a set with backpack? We asked our parent readers for their real-world experiences. Then we tried out 9 brands of kids luggage to see which worked best in the real world. Here are the ones we'd recommend.

FYI: We've been reviewing and rating products for the home and families since 1994. To keep things independent, we don't take money or freebies from brands we review! Our work is 100% reader-supported!


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Best Kids Luggage With Wheels

Plenty of room
Loved this 20" tall bag with spinner wheels—easy to use and very functional. Also nice: two interior pockets plus telescoping handle. Perfect for kid travel!
$63.99

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Best Kids Luggage With Wheels: Rockland Melbourne Hardside Expandable Spinner Wheel Luggage

We spent seven hours researching kids luggage—first, we asked our readers for their favorites and real world travel experiences. Then we took these suggestions and did more digging. 

We tried out several models, comparing quality and construction. For the best kids luggage with wheels, we decided that Rockland’s Melbourne expandable spinner wheel luggage is a best bet for most folks. 

Here’s why:

What We Liked

• Lightweight. At 6.49 pounds, this suitcase is easy to put in an overhead bin.

• Multiple color options.

• Telescoping handle with ergonomic pull.

• Affordable.

• Spinner wheels.

• Two interior pockets.

• 1 mesh pocket with zipper.

What Needs Work

• Pricey for one piece of luggage. best kids luggage

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Best Kids Luggage Set

Great gift idea
This set is a kid favorite—we loved the sturdy construction and design touches. Note the included sleeping pillow, backpack with strap that slips over the hardside case. Very nice.
$64.78

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Best Luggage Set: Travelers Club Kids’ 5 Piece Luggage Travel Set

If you are planning several road trips, a kids luggage set may be a good investment.

After looking at a half dozen sets and getting reader feedback from our parents, we decided Travelers Club’s Kids 5-Piece luggage set offers the best bang for the buck.

Yes, this set includes a neck pillow, lunch bag, luggage tag, 15″ backpack and 18″ hardside roller bag—perfectly sized for most kids under age 12.

What We Liked

 Sturdy.

• Kids love it!

• Easy to handle. We liked the wheels on the hardside rollaboard.

• Cute design.

• Main suitcase holds a good amount of clothes.

• Affordable.

• Includes luggage tag and lunch bag.

• Functional design. We liked the straps that hold the clothes down inside the hardside carry-on.

What Needs Work

• 18″ main suitcase is smaller in size than some competitors.

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Best Kids Luggage For Girls

Super cute
Yes, the adorable unicorns are the star here, but we liked how functional these pieces are—note the spinner wheels and strap that holds the backpack to the main bag. Excellent design.
$76.99

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Best Kids Luggage For Girls: iPlay, iLearn Unicorn Kids Luggage

Yes, this set is a bit pricey—but if you have a kid that is a fan of pink and unicorns, you can’t go wrong with this iPlay set. We looked at several luggage sets aimed at girls before deciding this reader favorite is deserving of the crown.

Here’s more:

What We Liked

• Easy to push.

• Both pieces of luggage fit under the seat of most airplane seats.

• Super cute.

• 18″ roller bag has four multi-directional wheels.

• Backpack with strap that attaches to roller bag. 

• Clam-shell design on backpack has one large interior elastic pocket.

What Needs Work

• Smaller size (18″ roller bag) works better with younger kids than older ones. 

• Plastic can scratch easily. best kids luggage

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Best Kids Luggage For Boys

Easy to push through an airport
Lightweight and well designed, this set has a hard polycarbonate shell that is durable. Also nice: both pieces can fit under the seat of most standard airplane seats—saving the overhead bin space.
$76.99

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Best Kids Luggage For Boys: iPlay, iLearn Kids Carry on Luggage Set

This luggage set is a favorite of our readers with little boys. Yes, it is the same brand as our pick above, so the pros and cons are the same pick just above.

Why Trust Us

We’ve been rating and reviewing products for the home and families since 1994. We do extensive research, evaluating products with an eye toward quality, ease of use and affordability. When we purchase a product for hands-on testing, we do so with our own money. 

Here’s another key point: we don’t take money from the brands we review. No free samples, no sponsors, no “partnerships.” Our work is 100% reader-supported!

best kids luggage

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